Peng Zu -

A legendary figure from ancient China. His surname was Jian and given name was Kou, and he is said to be the great-great-grandson of Zhuan Xuan, one of the Five Emperors. He was called Peng Zu because he was given the title of Pengcheng, but he is also known as a man of longevity on a par with Laozi. He practiced a breathing technique called Doin and always took elixir, so by the end of the Yin dynasty he had reached the age of over 700 years. When the king heard this, he appointed Peng Zu as a senior official, but he pretended to be ill and did not take any government duties. He also passed on the secret method to the king when he was asked about it, but later the king tried to kill Peng Zu in an attempt to monopolise the secret method, so he disappeared.

[Tota Kirimoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国古代の伝説上の人物。姓は籛、名は鏗(こう)で、五帝の一人とされる顓頊(せんぎょく)の玄孫と伝えられる。彭城に封じられたところから彭祖と称したが、老子と並ぶ長寿者として有名である。彼は導引という呼吸術を行い、つねに仙薬を服したため殷(いん)王朝の末には700歳余りに達していたという。これを聞いた時の王は彭祖を大夫(たいふ)に任命したが、彼は病気と偽ってまったく政務につかなかった。また、王に長命の法を問われてこれを伝授したが、のちに王が秘法のひとり占めを図って彭祖を殺そうとしたので、行方をくらましたという。

［桐本東太］

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